Thanks to all: Empty Stocking Fund party was a touching success

There are many people to thank for making this year’s Empty Stocking Fund party a success.

First, there was the Elks Lodge and the Braswell family who spent hours purchasing materials for and assembling stockings for the more than 660 children in attendance. And then there were the members of the Goldsboro Woman’s Club, who shopped for the toys and clothes for the guests of honor and also assisted with stuffing stockings and handing out gifts the day of the party.

And also on Saturday, manning their posts as usual, were the members of the Continental Society, who greeted and outfitted each child with his or her new clothes.

And that is in addition to the other early-morning-rising volunteers who entertained the children and guided them through the process.

As usual, the morning was full of reasons why this is such a special project — excited children who were more than willing to share a hug and say thank you when they received their gifts, for example. Some of them, when asked to share a Christmas carol, even took the time to remind all of those present that the holiday was about something more than the receiving of toys. Giving, and sharing faith, are what they wanted those who gathered Saturday to remember about Christmas.

But as much work as there was to do Saturday and the hours the volunteers put in, the thanks for making the day possible starts with the hundreds of Wayne County residents who gave some of their hard-earned money to make sure no child in this county went without a Christmas present this year.

And if each and every one of you had been there, you would see just how much good your money did.

Wayne County residents never cease to amaze us with their generosity and spirit. This is just one more example of how much all of you care about each other.

So, on behalf of the News-Argus and the other volunteers — and the children — we say thank you for caring.